Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is becoming an essential tool to get to the heart of important sustainability issues such as human comfort, energy efficiency and optimal thermal controls, according to Mr. Salah Nezar, Sustainability Director at QPM, Qatar’s leading project, design and construction management consultancy.

QPM which consults and manages 15 mega projects located in several MENA countries, including iconic projects in Qatar such as Lusail City, Barwa Commercial Avenue, the Internal Security Force Camp and many others, is looking at the use of CFD and heat transfer numerical simulations for contained built environments and outdoor cooling spaces.

Mr. Nezar was speaking at ASHRAE’s First International Conference on Energy and Indoor Environment for Hot Climates, which concluded on 26th February 2014 in Doha. He was the co-author of a scientific paper entitled CFD Analysis for Air Conditioning Systems for Semi-Outdoor Environments. The paper was selected to open the focused technical seasons as a hot topic at the summit which brought together renowned international experts, specialists and industry leaders from across the country and the region.

ASHRAE is a building technology society with more than 54,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry.

The work highlighted at the conference was developed between QPM and flowpak – a leading Qatar-based fluid dynamics firm. The presentation was delivered by Mr. Abdelkader Benzamia, Head of R&D at flowpak and assisted by Salah Nezar during the Q/A session. It’s important to mention the essential role played by Eng. Mr. Abdul Afoo Parkar from flowpak in strengthening the simulation process accuracy.

A refined simulation was used to overcome challenges related to human thermal comfort contours for systems using a mixed air conditioning process combining an overhead supply cool air with natural ventilation mode, when appropriate, coupled with a radiant cooling slab.

Condensation issues at various points were also investigated and specific recommendations were given to the engineering team to adjust the environment control system based on the outputs of numerous iterations of the CFD model.

QPM sees many practical applications for CFD models in special projects scheduled to come online in Qatar in the upcoming years. It is a flexible and cost effective tool in helping project developers and owners anticipating specific thermal needs particularly in semi-outdoor environments.

Established in 2008, QPM is one of the region’s premier project management companies and the leading Qatari firm in the field.

Led by a team of highly skilled international associates, QPM provides world-class management solutions to public and private clients across a wide range of sectors, including rail, infrastructure, defense, commercial and mixed-use developments.